Category: Chris Dougherty, RV Technician, Q&A

Many of us have become accustomed to remote control and keyless locks on our cars, but aside from high-end motorhomes that option hasn’t been available for RVs. Recently, Lippert Components introduced the RV Lock keyless lock system for travel trailers and fifth wheels that allows for an easy upgrade to keyless and keypad entry. The battery-powered lock system is a...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV Technician Being a “tech guy” in RV land can be both a punishment and a reward. People always have questions (which I welcome, by the way) about their RVs, and they range from the newest technologies to all kinds of how-to questions. Most of the time I can give a helpful answer, which is rewarding....
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician An essential part of the RV toolbox is a good set of pliers. Now, you can get a complete set (the ones in the photo are from Amazon.com), which is economical and functional, or you can pick individually. I like a set like this, as I can think of a time where I have...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician In 1984 the RV industry, led by our friend Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, developed some of the first formal testing methods for RV technicians. The idea, according to Gary, was to have a baseline to determine how much a technician knew, a platform to determine how new technicians were to be trained, and a basis...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician We recently received a box from “Crusher” with some samples of his new product he calls the “Nut Job.” Right then and there I knew I would never forget this one. This is a product and company name designed to elicit puns. The Nut Job, made by HaHa, LLC, of Bluff City, Tenn., is...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician Okay, I know I harp on leaks a lot, but these tools are essential to help keep your RV leak free. Liquid RV sealants: From EPDM seam sealer to silicone to body sealers — all come in 10-ounce caulk tubes; so if you’re going to maintain your RV yourself, you need these. Caulk gun:...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician A reader wrote in recently who had heard about RVs getting fried by bad wiring in campgrounds, and asked if I would recommend purchasing a surge protector for an RV to help prevent this. I highly recommend surge protectors. I have worked on numerous RVs over the years that suffered electrical problems caused by...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV Technician There are many brands and kinds of multimeters, from inexpensive dollar store specials to Flukes and Extechs. While I’ll refrain from recommending any particular brand or mode, I will make a few recommendations for features. AC/DC Amp Clamp: Power is measured by volts (pressure) and amps (flow). Since more than half of the electrical...
Read More

By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician One of the most useful tools you can carry in an RV is a good battery-powered screw gun. As a professional technician, I use a DeWalt 12-volt screw gun every day. I’m never without it. What’s nice about this tool is it’s lightweight, compact, pretty powerful, has a huge array of bits available and...
Read More

Spotlight on Tools Here’s a useful tool you might want to carry with you in your RV. By Chris Dougherty Certified RV technician A standard throughout the RV industry, Robertson or square head screws hold almost everything in an RV together, from cabinetry to outside trim. Robertson screws are used because the screws hold exceptionally well to the screwdriver or...
Read More

Posts navigation

Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, they’re the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. This guide is perfect for RVers because all the hike-in, boat-in and tent only camping areas are not included, making it very easy to locate campgrounds that can accommodate RVs. Learn more or order.

Essential for big rig owners!

If you drive a big RV then the 2018 Rand McNally Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas will be a big help keeping you away from low bridges and narrow roads. The atlas is an essential aid even if you have a GPS! Covers USA, Canada & Mexico. Learn more or order

2017 Next Exit The Next Exit contains the most complete listings of services found at USA Interstate highway exits in print. Gas, food, campgrounds, shopping, points of interest and much more. Lightweight, easy to use listings of every major USA Interstate highway exit. Find everything you need in the windshield, not the rear view mirror.Learn more or order.

Secrets of RVing on Social SecurityAuthor Jerry Minchey takes you on a journey that lets you discover how you can travel around the country and live the fascinating RV lifestyle for far less than it costs to live in your sticks-and-bricks home. Among other things, he shows you step-by-step how to enjoy the RVing lifestyle while traveling and living on just your Social Security income. Learn more or order.

Best resource for free and bargain camping for RVers For many RVers, spending $30 to $50 a night to stay in an RV park is too much. Does staying free or nearly free sound better? Then you need OvernightRVparking, the best source of free and inexpensive places to stay with an RV. More than 13,500 locations are listed. Watch a video about this valuable resource. Free Demo shows how it works, just CLICK HERE.

By Greg Illes For many years, we lived with our factory Formica countertop. It was — well, serviceable is about the best I can say. Drab-to-ugly is more honest. We thought about Corian and some other products, but either expense or weight were big obstacles. Finally, I “bit...

By Russ and Tiña De Maris For years we’ve been talking to the bully pulpit to preach the importance of knowing your weight ratings and scrupulously sticking to them. I don’t know how many obviously overloaded rigs we’ve seen in campgrounds and on highways – sometimes broken...

Should an RV park that has an insect or dangerous reptile problem provide that information when a camper places a reservation? That’s what this reader asks. The answer, it seems to me, is to do some checking before making the reservation. A critter problem may be present one...

I recently wrote about how at RVtravel.com we do not accept paid content, even though we receive, almost daily, requests from advertising and PR agencies to “plant” their stories on our website and pass them...

Categories

Categories

ABOUT US

RVtravel.com and its weekly newsletter (now in its 16th year) are headquartered in Edmonds, Wash., just north of Seattle. Learn more about us including our history, our staff and our plans for the future.

Sponsors and Resources

RV parts and Accessories at Amazon.comDid you know that Amazon.com has one of the largest — if not THE largest — selection of RV parts and accessories anywhere? Not only is the selection vast, but the prices great.

Camp for free with fellow RVers
Boondockers Welcome members can connect with fellow RVers across the country who invite them to be a guest on their private property for a night or two. Meet locals with a common interest. Share experiences. Arrange safe, legal, free overnight RV parking all the way to your destination. Learn more.

This is not a real train. It’s a model at the AACA auto museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The train exhibit is pretty much a side show. The museum itself is superb. If you love old cars and automotive history, you...

By Gail Meyring Typically when I buy cleaning products I look for something that’s environmentally friendly such as Mrs. Meyers or Seventh Generation All-Purpose Natural Cleaners. These products say they’re tough on dirt and cut through grease...

Mike, I was reading an article you wrote about 30A pedestals. I’ve just purchased a piece of land and there’s a new 30A RV outlet. The problem is that the plug is 90 feet away from my RV parking. I’m trying to keep it near the connection to the septic system. The RV is a 30A travel trailer with...

Dear RV Shrink: We were recently camping in Yellowstone in one of our favorite, usually quiet campgrounds. Unfortunately, we ended up next to a lovely couple with a very noisy generator. I don’t think it even had a...

Here’s a question from a reader of RVtravel.com about boondocking. Hi Bob, Several times while traveling I’ve noticed areas of land that appear to be government property (no development), some without signage and others stating they are a...

You may not have thought about it, but that slideout on your RV that makes your living space so roomy can also be your enemy. Find out why in this short video from RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury. What...

Should an RV park that has an insect or dangerous reptile problem provide that information when a camper places a reservation? That’s what this reader asks. The answer, it seems to me, is to do some checking before making the reservation. A critter problem may be present one week and gone the next, or, in this case, the alligators may...

RVtravel.com contributor Gyro Gearloose (aka Wolfe Rose) reviews the Superbumper, and shows how his truck survived a rear-end collision with virtually no damage while the vehicle that hit him was totaled. The Superbumper is available from Mohr Manufacturing...

By Russ and Tiña De Maris For years we’ve been talking to the bully pulpit to preach the importance of knowing your weight ratings and scrupulously sticking to them. I don’t know how many obviously overloaded rigs we’ve seen in campgrounds and on highways – sometimes broken down as a result of failing to heed such advice. Every RV...

This excellent nine-minute video was recently posted by our friend Gyro Gearloose (aka Wolfe Rose). If you use a sway bar, keep in mind that each end of the sway bar MUST have the appropriate hitch pin installed...

Hi Gary, I have an older Nash 5th wheeler. I have one completely dead battery in it now. I want to replace it with two (Group 24) 12-volt batteries. I’m not sure how to hook them up. There is not enough room for two small 6-volt batteries,...

By Russ and Tiña De Maris RVing with a truck camper certainly has its advantages – but at times there are some drawbacks. Storage for some can be an issue. We’ve heard situations where a truck camper owner’s landlord wouldn’t permit him to off-load the camper and...

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Are you preparing to head out into the new world of full-time RVing? Congratulations! But if you’ve been a sticks-and-bricks dweller for many years, you’re probably face-to-face with a BIG problem: What do I do with all this stuff? Yep, accumulations of possessions...

Here is our monthly summary of RV recalls for March 2017 and related equipment we feel are of interest to our readers. This information has been gleaned from the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. This is NOT a complete list of all vehicles and related...

Do you shop at Amazon.com?Shop here and help support this newsletter. You pay the same price as you do going directly to Amazon.com, but we get a tiny commission (which adds up and helps us continue to produce our website and its weekly newsletter). Thanks a whole bunch! Click here.

*Privacy Policy

This privacy policy discloses the privacy practices for RVtravel.com and its affiliated websites and newsletters. This privacy policy applies solely to information on our websites. Your use of our website signifies that you agree to this Privacy Policy. Information Collection, Use, and Sharing We only have access to/collect information that... [READ FULL POLICY]>>

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Thanks for signing up!

We invite you to subscribe to our weekly RVtravel.com newsletter. All we request is your email address. Your privacy ensured.

Email Address

You may easily unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email.